Method and apparatus for providing virtual Wi-Fi access

ABSTRACT

A method of providing virtual Wi-Fi service via a virtual Wi-Fi access network is provided. The method comprises: receiving data from an owner of an individual Wi-Fi access point; updating the owner of the Wi-Fi access point with access IDs, passwords, and security keys for a plurality of virtual Wi-Fi access subscribers; receiving subscriber data from a virtual Wi-Fi access subscriber; providing the subscriber with virtual Wi-Fi access log-in information; connecting the subscriber to the virtual Wi-Fi access network, wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access network comprises a plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points in communication with at least one virtual Wi-Fi access server; and billing the subscriber for virtual Wi-Fi access.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing virtualWi-Fi access. While the invention is particularly directed to the art ofinternet access and telecommunications, and will be thus described withspecific reference thereto, it will be appreciated that the inventionmay have usefulness in other fields and applications.

By way of background, a Wi-Fi enabled device such as a PC, game console,cell phone, MP3 player or PDA can connect to the Internet when withinrange of a wireless network connected to the Internet. The area coveredby one or more interconnected access points is called a hotspot.Hotspots can cover as little as a single room with wireless-opaque wallsor as much as many square miles covered by overlapping access points.

Routers which incorporate a DSL or cable modem and a Wi-Fi access pointare often used in homes and other premises, and provide Internet accessand internetworking to all devices connected wirelessly or by cable intothem. Devices supporting Wi-Fi can also be connected in ad-hoc mode forclient-to-client connections without a router.

Business and industrial Wi-Fi is now widespread. In businessenvironments, increasing the number of Wi-Fi access points providesredundancy, support for fast roaming and increased overall networkcapacity by using more channels or creating smaller cells. Wi-Fi enableswireless voice applications (VoWLAN or WVoIP). Over the years, Wi-Fiimplementations have moved toward “thin” access points, with more of thenetwork intelligence housed in a centralized network appliance,relegating individual Access Points to be simply “dumb” radios. Outdoorapplications may utilize true mesh topologies. Wi-Fi installations canprovide a secure computer networking gateway, firewall, DHCP server,intrusion detection system, and other functions.

In addition to restricted use in homes and offices, Wi-Fi is publiclyavailable at Wi-Fi hotspots provided either free of charge or tosubscribers to various providers. Free hotspots are often provided bybusinesses such as hotels, restaurants, and airports who offer theservice to attract or assist clients. Sometimes free Wi-Fi is providedby enthusiasts or by organizations or authorities who wish to promotebusiness in their area. Also, Metropolitan-wide Wi-Fi (Muni-Fi) alreadyhas more than 300 projects in process.

However, each of these Wi-Fi access networks covers only a limited smallarea such as a building, and a consumer is not always allowed to accessa Wi-Fi access network to connect to the Internet. For example, a userhaving a subscription at a T-MOBILE® hotspot at STARBUCKS® is notallowed to access an EARTHLINK® hotspot at a BARNES & NOBLE® bookstore.Currently there is no sharing mechanism/approach exist among individualWi-Fi access networks.

The present invention contemplates a new and improved that resolves theabove-referenced difficulties and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the invention disclosed herein, individual, small Wi-Fi accessnetworks will be virtually transparent to a consumer. By using the sameaccess ID and password, the end user will be able to access the Wi-Finetworks to a greater extent as long as there are individual Wi-Fiaccess networks existing around the end user.

In one aspect of the invention a method of providing virtual Wi-Fiservice via a virtual Wi-Fi access network is provided. The methodcomprises: receiving data from an owner of an individual Wi-Fi accesspoint; updating the owner of the Wi-Fi access point with access IDs,passwords, and security keys for a plurality of virtual Wi-Fi accesssubscribers; receiving subscriber data from a virtual Wi-Fi accesssubscriber; providing the subscriber with virtual Wi-Fi access log-ininformation; connecting the subscriber to the virtual Wi-Fi accessnetwork, wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access network comprises a pluralityof individual Wi-Fi access points in communication with at least onevirtual Wi-Fi access server; and billing the subscriber for virtualWi-Fi access.

In another aspect of the invention an apparatus for providing virtualWi-Fi service via a virtual Wi-Fi access network is provided. Theapparatus comprises: a virtual Wi-Fi access server operative to: receivedata from an owner of an individual Wi-Fi access point; update the ownerof the Wi-Fi access point with access IDs, passwords, and security keysfor a plurality of virtual Wi-Fi access subscribers; receive subscriberdata from a virtual Wi-Fi access subscriber; provide the subscriber withvirtual Wi-Fi access log-in information; connect the subscriber to thevirtual Wi-Fi access network, wherein the virtual Wi-Fi access networkcomprises a plurality of individual Wi-Fi access points in communicationwith the virtual Wi-Fi access server; and bill the subscriber forvirtual Wi-Fi access. The apparatus further comprises a database forstoring data related to virtual Wi-Fi access service in communicationwith the virtual Wi-Fi access server.

Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided below. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention exists in the construction, arrangement, andcombination of the various parts of the device, and steps of the method,whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fullyset forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network that provides shared Wi-Fi accessservices in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a memory layout of data stored in the database for Wi-Fiaccess points in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a memory layout of data stored in the database for virtualWi-Fi access subscribers in accordance with aspects of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of providing virtual Wi-Fiaccess services in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Portions of the present invention and corresponding detailed descriptionare presented in terms of software, or algorithms and symbolicrepresentations of operations on data bits within a computer memory.These descriptions and representations are the ones by which those ofordinary skill in the art effectively convey the substance of their workto others of ordinary skill in the art. An algorithm, as the term isused here, and as it is used generally, is conceived to be aself-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The stepsare those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities.Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form ofoptical, electrical, or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be kept in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent from the discussion,terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical, electronicquantities within the computer system's registers and memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thecomputer system memories or registers or other such information storage,transmission or display devices.

Note also that the software implemented aspects of the invention aretypically encoded on some form of program storage medium or implementedover some type of transmission medium. The program storage medium may bemagnetic (e.g., a floppy disk or a hard drive) or optical (e.g., acompact disk read only memory, or “CD ROM”), and may be read only orrandom access. Similarly, the transmission medium may be twisted wirepairs, coaxial cable, optical fiber, or some other suitable transmissionmedium known to the art. The invention is not limited by these aspectsof any given implementation.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating the exemplary embodiments only and not for purposes oflimiting the claimed subject matter, FIG. 1 provides a view of a system10 into which the presently described embodiments may be incorporated.As shown generally, FIG. 1 includes any number of enterprise Wi-Fiaccess points (or routers or devices) 12 and private Wi-Fi access points(or routers or devices) 14 for a subscriber with a device 16 having awireless card. Each of the various access points may be associated witha given service provider or with different service providers. Thus, withthis invention it is possible to coordinate shared Wi-Fi service amongthe individual Wi-Fi access points. To that end, the various enterpriseWi-Fi access points 12 and private Wi-Fi access points 14 are connectedto a virtual Wi-Fi access server 18 via the Internet 20. Collectively,these access points, along with the virtual Wi-Fi server 18, constitutea virtual (or shared) Wi-Fi access network, as described more fullybelow. The subscriber may be using any Wi-Fi enabled device 16 such as aPC, game console, cell phone, MP3 player or PDA that can connect to theInternet when within range of a wireless network connected to theInternet.

Each individual private or enterprise owned Wi-Fi access point (12/14)has at least one spare channel (or resource) that can be shared by otherusers not belonging to the family or the customers of the enterprise. Byagreeing to share such spare channels/resources, a private or enterpriseowned Wi-Fi access point (12/14) may be connected to the virtual Wi-Fiaccess server 18 and set-up with a virtual Wi-Fi access ID and passwordfor the spare channels.

Each individual Wi-Fi access point (12/14) is able to send an indicationwith a radio signal that indicates whether this Wi-Fi access point isable to share spare channels/resources. When the traffic to and fromthis access point exceeds a pre-defined limit, the Wi-Fi router/devicewill set up a “not sharable” indication message. When the traffic isunder the limit, the Wi-Fi router/device will set up a “sharable”indication message.

The Wi-Fi access server 18 generally includes a CPU (not shown) such asa microprocessor or a secure server, and is in communication with aspecial database 22 for storing pertinent information for Wi-Fi access.

The database 22 generally includes any number of data sub-blocks foreach Wi-Fi access point, as shown in FIG. 2. They are shown as a superblock 24, not all of whose fields are filled for a particular Wi-Fiaccess point. The super block 24, as known in the art, can be accessedfrom the identity of any one of several fields within it. The superblock 24 includes any number of data sub-blocks, including a firstsub-block 26 that contains owner name data, a second sub-block 28 thatcontains MAC address data, a third sub-block 30 that contains emailaddress data, a fourth sub-block 32 that contains available sparechannels data, and a fifth sub-block 34 that contains spare channelavailable time period data. Of course, any number of additionalsub-blocks 36 may be provided in the super block 24 for storing otherpertinent data.

The database 22 may also store Wi-Fi access data for subscribers in aWi-Fi access subscriber record 40, as shown in FIG. 3. Such a record 40is shown as a super data block, not all of whose fields (or datasub-blocks) are filled for a particular subscriber. As shown, the superblock 40 includes any number of data sub-blocks, including a firstsub-block 42 that contains subscriber name data, a second sub-block 44that contains subscriber email address data, a third sub-block 46 thatcontains subscriber post address data, and a fourth sub-block 48 thatcontains subscriber billing preferences data. Of course, it is to beunderstood that any number of additional sub-blocks 50 may be providedin the super block 40 for storing other data.

By sharing the spare channels/resources, the individual Wi-Fi accesspoint owner will also have an opportunity to share a portion of therevenue with the provider of the virtual Wi-Fi access service.

An exemplary method 100 of providing shared Wi-Fi service to asubscriber is outlined in FIG. 4. In order to provide this service, thevirtual Wi-Fi access server 18 is linked to a website that allows eachindividual Wi-Fi access point owner to sign up for sharing the sparechannels and share the revenue with the applicable service providers(102).

In order to provide this service, the virtual Wi-Fi access server 18 islinked to a website that allows each individual Wi-Fi access point ownerto sign up for virtual (shared) Wi-Fi service and thus share any sparechannels and corresponding revenue generated with the applicable serviceproviders (102).

The individual Wi-Fi access point owner goes to the website to sign upfor the Wi-Fi access sharing service by providing, among other things,the Wi-Fi access router/device's MAC address (104).

The information is downloaded to the virtual Wi-Fi access server 18,which stores the information in the database 22 and also connects to theindividual Wi-Fi access points to set up the sharing access ID,password, and/or security keys for the subscribers (106).

The set-up procedure outlined in the previous three steps may berepeated for each Wi-Fi access point/router/device that is willing toshare spare channels.

All individual Wi-Fi access points signing up for the sharing resourcesystem may be setup for the same access ID, password and/or securitykeys for the spare channels. Of course, it is to be understood thatother feasible implementations in the virtual Wi-Fi access server 18 maybe contemplated, such as (1) using secure token to provide accessingpassword; and (2) using secure key authentication without user access IDand password.

The virtual Wi-Fi access server 18 periodically updates thesharing/virtual access ID, password and/or security keys for all signedup individual Wi-Fi access points (108). Such access ID and passwordupdates may be done on a weekly or monthly basis, for example.

Once the shared Wi-Fi access service has been established, an end usermay subscribe to the exemplary virtual Wi-Fi access service by paying amonthly fee in exchange for a Wi-Fi sharing access ID and a password. Inthis regard, the end user does not need to sign up for hotspot accessservice with multiple service providers. The end user only needs to signup for Wi-Fi access service with one virtual Wi-Fi access serviceprovider, therefore being able to access the Internet from any area thathas individual Wi-Fi access point/router/device which offers sparechannel sharing, in the event there are no public/free Wi-Fi accesspoints in the vicinity. Some examples of such areas are hotels, coffeeshops, bookstores, libraries, etc. Thus, pertinent subscriberinformation is received via the website (110).

Each end user subscribed to the virtual Wi-Fi access service is thenprovided with the sharing access ID, password and/or security keys viathe website or other means (e.g., e-mail, text message, etc.) (112).

With the sharing access ID and password, the new subscriber may nowselect one of the available sharing Wi-Fi access points (114).Generally, the subscriber user equipment determines which signals areavailable and selects the strongest Wi-Fi signal.

Whenever the sharing access ID, password or security key is changed, thevirtual Wi-Fi access server 18 sends the update to the subscribers viasuitable means such as e-mail or a text message (116).

Such virtual Wi-Fi access service subscriptions can be charged with aflat rate on a monthly basis (118). If the subscriber decides toterminate the service, the subscriber will not receive the updatedsharing access ID, password and/or security key.

In summary, this invention offers an end user a virtual Wi-Fi accessservice that is not restricted to certain type business/enterprise, suchas a STARBUCKS® or a HYATT® hotel. With the virtual Wi-Fi accessservice, a user with a wireless access capability can always select oneof the surrounding available Wi-Fi networks to access the internet. Suchvirtual Wi-Fi access service provides benefit and revenue for bothvirtual Wi-Fi access service provider and individual Wi-Fi access pointowner. Further, such virtual Wi-Fi access service offers the subscriberfreedom not to be tied to certain hotspot service providers. With thisinvention, both private and enterprise Wi-Fi access point owners canshare their spare Wi-Fi resource to third parties, which willsignificantly save city/town capital/investment in building public andfree WLAN network. With this invention, the virtual Wi-Fi access serviceprovider can gain profit and share a portion of the revenue with privateand enterprise Wi-Fi access points, as a win-win solution to allparties.

Each private or enterprise owned Wi-Fi access point/router/device willmake its spare channel sharable to a 3rd party virtual Wi-Fi accessnetwork service provider. Such sharing will allow the virtual Wi-Fiaccess network server to connect to private or enterprise owned Wi-Fiaccess point/router/device and setup an access ID with password for thespare channels. An end user subscribed to virtual Wi-Fi access servicewill be given such an access ID and password to access any individualWi-Fi networks around the user that are sharing with the virtual Wi-Fiaccess network.

In this virtual Wi-Fi access service framework/architecture, eachindividual private or enterprise owned Wi-Fi access point/router/deviceis connected to the virtual Wi-Fi access server via the Internet. Theend user's laptop/device with wireless connection capability will beable to access one of the surrounding individual Wi-Fi networks with asingle unique access ID and password provided by the virtual Wi-Fiaccess service provider.

The above description merely provides a disclosure of particularembodiments of the invention and is not intended for the purposes oflimiting the same thereto. As such, the invention is not limited to onlythe above-described embodiments. Rather, it is recognized that oneskilled in the art could conceive alternative embodiments that fallwithin the scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A method of providing virtual Wi-Fi service via a virtualWi-Fi access network, the method comprising: receiving data from aplurality of individual privately and enterprise owned Wi-Fi accesspoint owners at a virtual Wi-Fi access server and storing the accesspoint owner data in a virtual Wi-Fi access database; updating the ownersof the Wi-Fi access points with access IDs, passwords, and security keysfor a plurality of virtual Wi-Fi access subscribers via the virtualWi-Fi access server; receiving subscriber data from the plurality ofvirtual Wi-Fi access subscribers at the virtual Wi-Fi access server andstoring the subscriber data in a virtual Wi-Fi access database, whereinthe virtual Wi-Fi access server provides subscribers with virtual Wi-Fiaccess service with a virtual Wi-Fi access service provider; providingthe subscribers with virtual Wi-Fi access log-in information via thevirtual Wi-Fi access server; receiving an indication from at least oneprivate or enterprise owned Wi-Fi access point that it is able to shareat least one spare channel or resource with a Wi-Fi user not belongingdirectly to the private or enterprise owned access point based on apre-defined traffic limit; connecting one or more of the subscribers tothe virtual Wi-Fi access network via the virtual Wi-Fi access serverafter authentication with the virtual Wi-Fi access server, wherein thevirtual Wi-Fi access network comprises the plurality of individual Wi-Fiaccess points in communication with the virtual Wi-Fi access server; andbilling the subscribers for virtual Wi-Fi access via the virtual Wi-Fiaccess server.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the Wi-Fi access pointscomprise at least one of an enterprise access point or a private accesspoint.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a requestat the virtual Wi-Fi access server for authentication of a subscriber'sdevice when the subscriber's device is near one or more Wi-Fi accesspoints that are secured and not publicly accessible; if the subscriberis in the virtual Wi-Fi access database, sending a message to theprivate Wi-Fi access point confirming the subscriber's registrationstatus.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the database stores datarelating to individual access points, the data comprising: owner namedata, MAC address data, owner email address data, available sparechannels data, and spare channel available time period data.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the database stores virtual Wi-Fi accesssubscriber data, the data comprising: subscriber name data, subscriberemail address data, subscriber post address data, and subscriber billingpreferences data.
 6. An apparatus for providing virtual Wi-Fi servicevia a virtual Wi-Fi access network, the apparatus comprising: a virtualWi-Fi access server that is programmed to: receive data from a pluralityof individual privately and enterprise owned Wi-Fi access point owners;update the owners of the Wi-Fi access points with access IDs, passwords,and security keys for a plurality of virtual Wi-Fi access subscribers;receive subscriber data from a virtual Wi-Fi access subscriber, whereinthe virtual Wi-Fi access server provides subscribers with virtual Wi-Fiaccess service with a virtual Wi-Fi access service provider; provide thesubscriber with virtual Wi-Fi access log-in information; receive anindication from at least one private or enterprise owned Wi-Fi accesspoint that it is able to share at least one spare channel or resourcewith a Wi-Fi user not belonging directly to the private or enterpriseowned access point based on a pre-defined traffic limit; connect one ormore of the subscribers to the virtual Wi-Fi access network, wherein thevirtual Wi-Fi access network comprises the plurality of individual Wi-Fiaccess points in communication with the virtual Wi-Fi access server; andbill the subscribers for virtual Wi-Fi access; and a database thatstores data related to virtual Wi-Fi access service in communicationwith the virtual Wi-Fi access server, wherein the data includes accesspoint owner data and subscriber data.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the database stores data relating to individual access points,the data comprising: owner name data, MAC address data, owner emailaddress data, available spare channels data, and spare channel availabletime period data.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the databasestores virtual Wi-Fi access subscriber data, the data comprising:subscriber name data, subscriber email address data, subscriber postaddress data, and subscriber billing preferences data.